Toy railroad track switches



March 24, 1964 l J. BoNANNo 3,126,179

Toy RAILROAD TRACK SWITCHES In in ATTO RN EY March 24, 1964 J. l.. BoNANNo Toy RAILROAD TRACK SWITCHES if. d? ATTO RNEY March 24, 1964 J. BONANNO 3,126,179

TOY RAILROAD TRACK SWITCHES Filed Sept. 17, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 l l n INVENTOR dosi/H l. ,Bama/wo ATTORNEY March 24, 1964 J. L. BONANNO 3,126,179

Toy RAILROAD TRACK SWITCHES Filed Sept. 17, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 A BY l ATTORNEY March 24, 1964 J. L. BONANNO VTOY RAILROAD TRACK SWITCHES 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 lNvENToR /o'sfP/yz. Bam-:wma

ATTORNEYS March 24, 1964 J. l.. BONANNO 3,126,179

Toy RAILROAD TRACK SWITCHES Filed Sept. 17, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 T1 3.15- INVENTOR JSEPH A. 30AM/wvo BY myMZ/ ATTORN EYS March 24, 1964 L, BONANNO 3,126,179

TOY RAILROAD TRACK SWITCHES Filed Sept. 17, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 4L K4 @zu ZI. l

l INVENTOR c/'osEP/f :Bm/Awa ATTORNEYS March 24, 1964 J. L. BONANNO 3,126,179

Toy RAILROAD TRACK SWITCHES Filed Sept. 17, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,126,179 TGY RAILROAD TRACK SWITCHES Joseph L. Bonanno, South Orange, NJ., assignor, by

mesne assignments, .to Walter E. Heller & Company, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 17, 1958, Ser. No. 761,618 Claims. (Cl. 246 231) The present invention relates to toy railroad track switches and particularly to a new and useful track switch having a simple mechanism for effecting automatic switching in response to remote electrical control or approach of a toy train.

This is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 388,742, tiled October 28, 1953, now abandoned.

Toy railroad track switches, arranged for remote control to shift the switch tongue so as to guide a train approaching on a common track through a main track or onto a branch track and to automatically shift the switch tongue to guide a train approaching from the other direc-` tion have been extensively used. Such switches are shown in Patents 2,079,251, May 4, 1937; 2,202,546, May 8, 1940; and 2,297,131, September 29, 1941.

The present invention contemplates toy railroad track switches for these purposes but constructed from less expensive parts so that track switches for these purposes are available at less cost.

In carrying out the present invention, a molded plastic base is employed and it is preferably provided with reenforcing ribs which conform to the track rail and power rail pattern of the switch so that the structure is stiifened by ribs and when conducting rail elements are secured over the ribs, these are substantially completely hidden thereby. The plastic base carries all the insulated power rails, the insulated control rails and back connections for these rails. The base is tted to and secured to a sheet metal bottom plate which further stiifens the structure. All the grounded return rail elements carried above the base have securing means which pass through the insulating base and the bottom plate and are secured to it.

The present invention also contemplates an improved electromagnet mechanism for operating the switch tongue in which all the parts, except the connecting link to the switch tongue, are in the form of a pre-assembled unit which may be secured in the upper surface of the insulating base. The mechanism is completely enclosed by a housing and above this housing is a realistic lighted signal indicating switch tongue position. The signal is illuminated by a lamp inside the housing and arranged for ready replacement.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention there is provided an improved mechanism for effecting the controlled operation of a track switch upon the approach of a train from a direction which might cause derailing. This embodiment includes inter alia a two light indicating system and means for switching electrical energy supply from one light to the other in accordance with the position of the track switch.

Other and further objects will appear as the description proceeds.

The accompanying drawings show, for purposes of illustrating the present invention, one embodiment in which the invention takes form, it being understood that the drawings are illustrative of the invention rather than limiting the same.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a complete, left-hand, track switch section with portions of the wheel bearing and power rails in section and others broken away to show the insulating base, or plate, in greater detail;

3,126,179 Patented Mar. 24, 1964 ice FIG. 2 is an inverted plan view of the insulating supporting base, or plate, of the track switch section showing the back connections carried by this plate, and showing in section the securing prongs for the grounded track rail elements and the rivets for securing the insulating plate to a metal bottom cover plate;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional plan view of an electromagnetic operator for the switch tongue shifting mechanism and taken on the line 3 3 of FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 4 4 of FIGS. l, 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional View through the track switch section taken on the line 5 5 of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of FIGS. 1 and 2, illustrating the connection to the indicator lamp for the signal operated by the switch actuating mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 7 7 of FIGS. l, 2, and 12, illustrating the securement of a grounded wheel bearing rail to the metal bottom plate;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary section on the line 8 8 of FIGS. 1, 2, and 12;

FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale on the broken line 9 9 of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary section on an enlarged scale on the line 10-10 of FIG. 2 to show the pivotal support for the switch tongue;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary section on the line 11 11 FIG. 3;

FIG. 12 is an inverted plan view of the complete track switch unit with parts broken away to show interior construction;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view indicating the disposition ofthe power rail, the insulating and conducting wheel bearing rails, and showing the wiring diagram;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of another embodiment of track switch with the cover removed on the operating mechanism for clarity;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a switch contact arm and track arrangement;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 16 16 of FIG. 15, except that the wheel is advanced away from the contact arm;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary section similar to FIG. l5 but indicating the wheels of a train positioned over the actuating Contact;

FIG. 18 is a section similar to FIG. 16 but with the train wheel in the same position as that indicated in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the track rail and Contact construction;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary bottom plan taken on the line Ztl-20 of FIG. 25;

FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 20 but indicating the movement of the double contact arms in an opposite direction to that indicated in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a vertical section taken on the line 22-22 of `FlIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a horizontal section taken on the line 23- 23 of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a section taken on the line 24 24 of FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a `fragmentary vertical `section taken on the line 25 25 of FIG. 14;

FIG, 26 is an exploded perspective =view of the contact -arm operating mechanism;

FIG. 27 is a fragmentary perspective View indicating the positioning of one of the contact arms in contact with a terminal 4of -a lamp; and

FIG. 28 is an electrical diagram similar to FIG. 13

but indicating a portion of the circ-uit for the alternate embodiment of switch construction for actuation of two lamps.

According to the present invention, the track switch is embodied in a track switch section interchangeable with other track sections in the -toy railroad track layout. As here shown, it employs an insulating base designated generally by the letter B of length corresponding with the standard toy railroad track section and a suicient width to carry all the wheel bearing and third rails of the main line track, -a lbranch line track and mechanism for shifting the switch tongue by which trains are directed through the main line track or the branch lline track of the switch. This insulating base plate is a shallow, generally flat, molding. It is provided with a peripheral depending flange so as to rest ilat on the table or other support. The bottom is recessed, as is indicated at 19a, 10b, ctc., to accommodate numerous conductors and portions of the switch tongue operating mechanism. The top is provided with tie simulating elements indicated at 11a, 11b and with ribs or risers conforming to the wheel bearing and power rail pattern of a toy track switch. They stillen the structure, provide insulated Iwheel bearing elements and form supports for conducting covers forming Wheel bearing rails for trucks T and power rails for current collectors C (FIG. 13). The plastic plate B is also provided with perforations leading to the various supplementary recesses 10a, 10b, etc. to accommodate securing means for the rails. the switch tongue operating mechanism, and rivets used to secure the insulating base to la lower sheet metal ground cover plate designated generally by the letter P.

Near the upper edge of the base B, as indicated in FIG. l, is a long straight rib 12 having a bare portion 12a lforming a portion of the main line wheel bearing rail. The rib 12 has a reduced portion 12b which extends underneath the straight insulated portion of the main line wheel bearing -rail 13 and the leftward grounded portion -14 of the main line wheel bearing rail, and a portion 12C at the right which enters into the short straight wheel bearing rail element 1S at the other end of the track switch section. The base B also has a curved rib 16 similar to the rib I12 and provided with wheel bearing rail portions 16a, and narrowed portions 16b and 16C which receive branch line, curved, insulated wheel bearing rail 17 and grounded wheel bearing elements 18 and 11-9. Alongside the rib portions :12b and 1617, the insulating base is provided with anti-derailing risers 26a and 2Gb. The insulating base also has ribs indicated at 21 and 22 which support the straight and curved grounded rail elements 23 and 24 of the main and branch lines. The base B is also provided with straight and curved ribs 25 and 26 which support the straight and curved power rail elements 27 and 28. It is also provided with ribs 29 and 30 in line with the straight and curved rails 23 and 24. A swivel rail or switch tongue 31 having rail elements 32 and 33 is pivoted about a boss 34 as indicated in FIG. l0. Above the switch tongue 31 and between the rails 32 and 33 is a power rail conducting frog member 35 whose left end is held in place by conducting rivet 36. The switch tongue is held down by an insulating spacer 37. The other end 38 of the frog 35 is midway between the conducting rail elements and 19, covers a rib 38 and is secured to the insulating base by prongs 39 which pass through a hole and are bent outwardly (see FIG. 2). The usual connecting pins p are provided to tit into the sockets of adjacent track sections. The rails 14, 15, 27, 28, 23, 24 at the other end of the track switch section form sockets for such pins on adjacent sections.

The power rails 27, 28 and the frog 35 are connected to one side oi the power supply, as indicated in FIG. 13, at 40. This connection may be at any convenient place along the track layout. The power rails 27 and 28 have prongs 27' and 28 which pass through holes 27a, 28a in the in- 4 sulating base B and are struck out in recesses 10a and 10d, as indicated in FIG. 2. The other ends of these rails 27 and 2S have similar prongs 27, 28" which pass through holes in the insulating plate and are bent toward one another and onto a V-shaped conducting plate 43, received in recess 16a. The other end of this plate is held in place by the lower end of the rivet 36 (see FIG. l0). The insulated wheel bearing -rails 13 and 17 are secured to the insulating plate B by prongs indicated at 13 and 17', respectively, and are secured to the base and conducting 'strip 44 in recess 10h and strip 45 in recess 10i by prongs indicated at 13" and 17", respectively. Conducting straps 44 and 45 lead to binding posts 46 and 47.

A metallic Vfrog point 50 provides wheel bearing rail elements in line with the grounded rails 23, 24. It has reduced ends 50a and 501) which enter these rails and are held down by a pin 50 (see FIG. `9).

The base B also carries mechanism to be described for shifting the switch tongue between Ithe position indicated in full lines in FIG. l where a train can pass in either direction along the branch `track to the position shown in the dot and dash line position where the train can pass in either direction along the main line track.

The live contacts on the runder side of the base B are kept out of contact with the grounded plate P by a sheet of insulation 51 of the shape shown in dotted lines in FIG. 12. IIt is cut back to permit the grounded rails and connections to pass from above the insulating plate B and for securement to the grounded plate P. The grounded plate P is secured to the base by rivets indicated at 52 and 53.

The grounded rails 14, 15, 18, 19 and 23, 24 are made of inverted U-shaped strips of sheet metal as shown more in detail in FIGS. 7 and 8. Their lower edges 60 bear against the upper surface of the base plate B. They have prongs 61 with relatively wide portions 62 which it in relatively Wide holes 63 on the base B to position them on the base. These holes enter recesses such as 10a, 10c, 10e, 10], 100 and 10g. The prongs have reducing shoulders 64 and narrowed portions 65. These narrowed portions pass through holes 66 in the plate P narrower than the holes in the base B and are bent over onto the lower snface of the plate P as shown at 67, FIG. 7. This plate is domed or offset upwardly as indicated at 68 in FIG. 7 and in FIG. 12, so that the shoulders 64 on the prongs abut the upper surface of the plate, and the clamping pressure of the rivets and plate is taken up by metal parts rather than by crushing the insulation. These prongs may be relied on as the means for securing the base and plate together, and the rivets 52 and 53 omitted. To improve the grounding of the rails, solder is preferably applied to the rails 14 and 18 as indicated at 69, FIG. 12. The frog securing rivet 50, FIG. 9, passes through the plate P as there shown. In the above manner, all the wheel bearing rails (except the insulated segments 13 and 16) are secured in place and grounded. y

The switch tongue 31 above referred to is shifted back and forth by electromagnetic mechanisms or a motor which will now be described. This mechanism includes two coils 70 and 71 (see FIGS. 4 and 13). Coil 70 is connected by wire 72 with strap 44. The coil 71 is connected by wire 73 with strap 45. The coils are connected by wires indicated at 74 and 75 with a lamp connector strap 76 (FIG. 2), received in recess 10k and secured above the conducting member 43 by the bent-over prongs 28" of rail 28. These coils are mounted on spools 70a, 71a, secured in a magnetzable coil bracket or yoke 80 with centerpiece 80a. This yoke is secured by prongs 80 to a motor base in the form of a plate 81 as indicated in FIG. ll. The plate 81 is iixedly secured in place by rivet 82 passing through the insulating base plate B, and by binding post 83 passing through both the base B and plane P, as shown in FIG. 13.

The post 83 is connected to a movable switch member 84 to engage contacts 85 or 86 externally connected to binding posts 46, 47 so that by manipulation of switch 84, one or the other of the coils 70 and 71 may be energized. Owing to the connection of the straps 44 and 45 with the insulated wheel bearing rails 13 and 17, it is also possible to energize the coil 70 or the coil 71 by the grounding of the rail 13 or of the rail 17 by the truck T of a vehicle approaching from the left.

The coils 70 and 71 receive an armature 87 adapted to be reciprocated back and forth by the coils in accordance with the way in which they are energized. The armature 87 is connected by a rod 88 with a rack 89 having a tail piece 90 which passes through a slot in an up-turned ange 91 of the plate 81. The extent of movement of the rack is determined by the engagement of the shoulder 92 with the ange 91 and by the left edge 93 with the magnetizable yoke 80. This movement is sutiicient to cause the rack 89 to operate a pinion 94, carried on stud 94', through slightly more than 180.

The pinion has an upwardly extending oil-center pin 95 received in a hole 96, FIG. 5, of a strap 97. This strap is oiset as indicated at 98, FIGS. 3 and 5, and passes through a hole 99 in the base B. It then extends out under the base B as indicated at 100 where it is connected with the switch tongue 31 by a pivot pin 101 and grounding washer 101'.

It will thus be seen that when coil 70 has been energized, it will shift the rack 89 to the left and the strap 97 will shift switch tongue 31 from the full line position of FIGS. 1 and 13 to the dotted line position of FIG. 1; and when the coil 71 is energized, the parts will be returned to the full line positions of FIGS. 1 and 13. Due to the movement of the pinion 94 through slightly more than 180, the parts have a toggle-like action, and pressure applied directly to the switch tongue will not shift it out of position. The gear 94 is preferably made of insulating material and to insure satisfactory grounding of the switch tongue, a flexible conductor 102 is soldered to the strap 97 and the base 81 of the switch operating mechanism.

The pinion 94 is also n mesh with a gear 103 rotatably secured to the plate 81 by a rivet 104. This gear is of twice the pitch diameter of the pinion, has an upwardly extending bracket-like element 105 which carries a spring clip 106 with yieldable arms 106a and 106b concentric with the pivot 104, and turned through 90+.

The switch operating mechanism above described is under a cover 107 and secured in place by a screw 108 entering a socket 109 secured to the base 81. This cover is made of insulating material and is of a shape and size to iit about the plate 81 and cover substantially all the mechanism on this plate.

The cover 107 has an opening 111, FIGS. 4 and 5, directly above the pivot 104. This opening accepts the lower end of a lantern structure indicated at 112. This lantern structure has a transparent plastic component 112:1, an opaque plastic compoent 112b and four colored lens-like elements 112C, arranged so that the opposite pairs are red and green. The lower transparent member 112a has a rib 112d, which iits between the ends of spring 106 so as to assure proper orientation of the light signal.

In order to illuminate the signal, the track switch section carries a lamp bulb 120 underneath the cover member 107 and near the signal. This lamp as shown in FIG. 6 is carried in a bayonet type lamp socket 121 insulatedly secured to an L-shaped conducting strap 122, and having a grounded spring contact 122'. In order that the lamp may be readily replaced, provisions are .made for withdrawing the lamp, the socket and associated parts through an opening 123, FIGS. 3 and 6, in the switch housing cover 107. To automatically provide ground connections for the signal lamp, the grounded plate 81 is provided with a shelf 124 engageable by the 6 grounded contact 122'. The strap 76 by which the coils 70 and 71 were connected to the third rail is extended to the right as indicated at 125, FIG. 6, where it is bent back on itself, as indicated at 127. It is disposed under an elevated element 128 formed in the insulating base B. The base B is also provided with an opening 129 which provides access for the lower end of the bracket 122, so that when this bracket is in the position shown in FIG. 6, it bears against the extension of the strap 76 and provides a power supply to the lamp. The bent end 127 bears against the insulating sheet 51 to assure good contact of 125 and 122. The lamp may be Withdrawn by pulling on knob 130.

The construction above set forth in detail is one which is well suited for inexpensive assembly. The electromagnet switch operating unit is a pre-assembled structure which can be readily secured to the base. The insulated rails, the switch tongue and various contacting elements underneath the base are also readily secured to the base and the switch tongue operating strap 97 is placed in position so that a sub-assembly is provided. This sub-assembly is now ready to receive the grounded rails and the frog point, and when the insulating sheet and bottom plate are in position, it is possible to upset the rivets 52 and 53 which secure the insulating plate and grounded plate together, also stake the various prongs which secure the grounded rails to the base plate. A rivet 131 is employed to insure grounding of the plate 81 of the switch operating unit.

The completely assembled track switch section is extremely light in weight and, while thin, is extremely rigid owing to the stiiening of the metal plate and the risers or ribs which support the rails. It can be secured to a support by screws passing through holes 132.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 28, inclusive, there is provided an insulating base generally designated B' which is substantially similar to that indicated for the other embodiment. The insulating base B' is of shallow, generally flat molding construction similar to the previous embodiment and is provided with recessed portions to accommodate numerous conductors portions of the switch tongue operating mechanism. The top is formed with tie simulating elements 200. The tie simulating elements 200 are interconnected by track supporting bridging members 202 extending between adjacent elements at each side thereof in positions underlying associated track rails.

Similar to the previous embodiment the switch includes a long curved rail 204 and a long .straight rail 206. A short straight track 208 forms a straight track path with the long track 206, upstanding portions 210 and 212, and a portion of the curved track 202. An open space between the upstanding portions 212 and the curved track 202 is bridged by a pivotal rail or switch tongue generally designated 214 and having spaced upstanding ribs or rail portions 216 or 218. When the tongue 214 is swung to a position opposite to that shown in FIG. 14 the upstanding portion 216 bridges the wheel bearing gap between the upstanding portion 212 and rail 202.

A curved track path is formed by the curved track 202 in conjunction with a short length of curved track 219.

vUpstanding portions 220 and 222 guide car wheels through this curve up to the switching tongue 214. The upstanding portion 218 of the switching tongue 214 bridges the gap between the upstanding portion 222 and a portion of the straight track 206 when in the position indicated in FIG. l. Each of the curved and straight line track paths include non-derailing ribs 224 and 226, respectively, and a curved central power rail 228 and a straight central power rail 230.

In this embodiment each of the curved path track structures and the straight path track structures is provided with resilient contact arms generally designated 232 and 234, respectively. Each of the contact arms is anchored and electrically connected to an associated curved 7 and straight rail 202 and 206, respectively. The contact member includes a portion extending below, and insulated from, the associated power rail, and a transversely extending portion which extends beneath an associated opposite curved and straight power rail 219 and 20S, respectively.

The contact arms each include an upwardly extending portion including a tongue 236 which extends through an opening 238 i'n the associated rail 219 or 208 and which is biased upwardly against an insulating spike 240 which is inserted through the end of the rail (FIG. 19). The Contact arms are provided toinsure that any train approaching the contact arm will actuate the switching mechanism to locate the switching tongue 214 in a path to permit continued movement of the train without derailing. The contact arms 232 and 234 act as a safety device to insure that the switch is in a correctly located position. The insulating spike 240 functions both to insulate the port-ion of the rail which connects the switching mechanism to insure that no Current is delivered to the switch to actuate the switching mechanism, and also insulate the contact arm from the associated rail. In FIGS. 15 to 19, inclusive, it can be seen that when the wheels approach the contact arms they are in the position illustrated in FIGS. l and 16 biased against the spike 240. When the train wheel moves over the contact arms they are deflected downwardly and contact is made between the wheel of the train and the contact arm to the opposite track and a switching tongue switch generally designated 242 is actuated to position the tongue 214 in the correct direction for the proceeding of the train thereover. The spike 240 includes a knurled central portion 243 which presents an insulated abutment between each of adjacent adjoining track structures to isolate adjacent sections electrically and prevent actuation of the switching mechanism thereby when the train is located thereon.

The switching tongue switch 242 of the present embodiment uses a double coil solenoid having two coils 70 and 71 similar to the previous embodiment in which a centrally disposed plunger bar 244 is reciprocable. One side of each of the coils 70 and 71 is connected to the power line source 76, i.e., the third rails 228 and 230. The other sides of each of the associated coils 70' and 71' are connected respectively to conductors 72 and 73 to associated electrical members 44 or 45 leading respectively to the straight track 206 and the curved track 204 (FIGS. 13 and 28). Approach of the train along the curved section will cause depression of the contact arm 228 and power to be supplied to the coil 71. Approach of the train along a straight track will cause depression of the contact arm 230 and power to be supplied to the coil 70. Movement of the plunger 244 by the associated coils 70 or 71 Will eiect movement of the rack 89 connected to one end of the plunger 244, to move the gear 94 to switch the tongue 214 to its correct position (unless it is already correctly positioned, in which event no movement occurs since the plunger will be in the attracted position in relation to the coil). Similarly, movement of the plunger will elfect movement of a double contact arm E-member generally designated 245. The E-member has contact arms 246 and 24S which are movable between contacts 250 and 252 to light either one of associated lamps 254 and 256. The other terminals of each lamp 25S and 260, respectively, are grounded through a single clip bar 261 braised into Contact with a frame member. The central arm 262 of the E-shaped member 24S is provided with an upstanding pin 264 which is conined for movement within a slot 266 of an extension generally designated 268 of the plunger 244.

The extension 268 includes a central abutment 270 and two diagonally oriented side walls 200 and 282 with the diagonally oriented walls of the central abutment 270 to form a guided passageway so that the pin 264 is guided for movement as indicated by the arrows, first to move one arm of the contact member in a direction toward the lamp 254 to complete the circuit to this lamp and cause it to be lighted, and thereafter upon actuation of the plunger in the opposite direction to cause movement of the Contact arm 248 to the live terminal of the lamp 256 to supply current thereto and effect its lighting.

Thus, the invention provides a simple mechanism for effecting both the switching of a switching tongue and the indication of the direction in which it is switched upon the approach of a train. The mechanism is so constructed that if a train approaches from a direction corresponding to the direction at which the switching tongue is positioned the mechanism will remain unchanged, but if the train approaches from an incorrect position the mechanism will be actuated and the switch thrown over immediately so that the train may ride thereover without becoming derailed.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the invention principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

l. A toy railroad track switch section for guiding a toy electric train having trucks Vwith conductively connected Wheels and a current collector, from a common track, to and from a main line track or a branch line track and supplying power to the train, said section having an insulating base, a conductive shiftable switch tongue above the base, a metal bottom plate secured to the insulating base, the insulating base having a relatively long, straight, main line rib extending past the tongue, a relatively long curved branch line rib extending past the tongue, relatively short converging straight and curved, main and branch line ribs parallel with the first ribs, relatively short conductive wheel bearing rail elements mounted about the ends of the long ribs and about the short ribs and having prongs which pass through the base and are secured to the metal plate, relatively long conductive rail elements mounted about the long ribs and secured to the insulating base to form an insulated length of conductive wheel bearing rail in each line, a length of the long ribs opposite the switch tongue being bare, the base having curved and straight ribs midway between the ribs which carry the wheel bearing elements, conducting power rails mounted about the said midway rails, a conducting frog secured to the insulating base, a V-shaped plate under the insulating base and connected to the power rails and the frog, a conducting frog point carried on top of the insulating base in a position to provide wheel supporting surfaces beyond the near ends of the short converging Wheel bearing rails of the main and branch lines, means securing the conducting frog in place and conductively connecting it to the bottom plate, the insulated base also having short straight and curved ribs aligned with the frog point and switch tongue and adapted to guide the wheels.

2. A toy railroad track switch section as claimed in claim 1, having two insulated Wire connectors, a strap on the under side of the insulating base and connected to the long insulated conducting rail element on the long main line rib and to one wire connector, a second strap on the under side of the insulating base and connecting the long insulated conducting rail element on the long curved rib to the other Wire connector, two aligned solenoid coils one connected to one strap and the other to the other strap, a common connection for the other side of the coils to the V-shaped plate, a conducting coil supporting plate mounted on top of the insulating plate and conductively secured to the base plate, an armature operated by the coils, and driving connections between the armature and the switch tongue, including an armature driven rack, a rack driven gear and a gear driven link connected to the switch tongue.

3. A top railroad track switch section, such as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower face of the insulating base is recessed to accommodate the securing means for the insulated rail elements and the conducting straps and is recessed to receive apertured domes in the base plate through which the securing means for the grounded rail elements and switch tongue pass.

4. A toy railroad track switch section for guiding a toy electric train having conductively connected wheeled trucks and a current collector from a common track to and from a main line track or a branch line track and supplying power to the train, comprising a relatively thin insulating base having a flat body portion and depending peripheral ange to form a downwardly opening shallow recess, the plate having secondary recesses in the body portion thereof, a sheet metal bottom plate tted inside the insulating base and spaced from the body portion of the base and having apertured domes which extend into certain of the secondary recesses, the upper surface of the insulating base having straight and curved parallel ribs of track-gaugespacing and straight and curved ribs midway between the irst mentioned ribs, a shiftable switch tongue, a frog, a base carried conductive support for one end of the frog and on which the switch tongue is pivoted, the other end of the frog having prongs receved on one of the subsidiary recesses, conductive rail elements mounted on said ribs, certain of the rail elements having prongs which extend through the insulating base and the bottom plate and are bent into the domed portions thereof whereby all such rail elements are grounded, other of said conductive rail elements having prongs which pass through openings in the secondary recesses certain of which are bent against the insulating base, three conducting straps disposed in other of said secondary recesses, one of said straps being secured in place by the frog support and by prongs carried by said midway disposed rail elements to connect them and the frog to provide a power supply in the main and branch track, another of said bottom straps being secured by prongs carried by one of the conductive elements on a rib in the main line and another conductive strap being secured in place by prongs carried by another of the conductive elements on a rib in the branch line, and an electromagnetic switch tongue operating mechanism including a plate secured on the top of the base, two solenoid coils, one connected to one of the latter mentioned straps, the other connected to the other of the latter mentioned straps, and both connected to the irst mentioned strap, an armature and mechanism connecting the armature and switch tongue.

5. A toy railroad track switch section for use with three-rail toy railroad track and having iixed, straight, main line and fixed, curved, branch line wheel bearing rails and power supply rails between the wheel bearing rails, a movable switch tongue for guiding a toy train through the main line or through the branch line, an insulating base, a metal bottom plate secured to the insulating base, a power rail frog secured to the insulating base, a frog pivotally mounted on the insulating base and conductively secured to the bottom plate, the insulating base having upwardly extending stiening ribs conformed to the pattern of the wheel bearing and power supply rails, metal covers about selected portions of said ribs, the covers between the frog point and the end of the track switch section having prongs passing through the base and bottom plate and bent against the bottom plate to ground the same, the covers about end portions of the other wheel bearing ribs having prongs which pass through the base and bottom plate and are bent against the plate to ground the corresponding covers thereto, the covers about the power rail ribs and the rnid portions of the wheel bearing ribs having prongs which pass through the insulating base, certain of which are bent against the base, a conducting plate under the base and to which the prongs on the power rail covers and the frog are secured to electrically connect the frog and power rail covers, two conducting plates undcr the insulating base each secured in place by the prongs of one of the covers for the midportions of the wheel bearing ribs, and an electromagnetically actuated switch tongue operator including coils having a common connection to the power rail and separate connections to the two last mentioned straps, and an armature mechanically connected to the switch tongue to shift it in response to coil energization.

6. In combination, a unitary molded plastic base for a toy railroad track switch, said base having straight parallel and curved parallel ribs rising from a substantially at upper surface and conforming to the normal pattern of the fixed wheel bearing and power rails, other than the frog and frog point, of a toy railroad track switch, a metal bottom plate to which the insulating base is secured, the base and bottom bearing flanges spacing the body of the base from the body of the metal plate, the plate having apertured domes which enter recesses in the lower face of the base, the lower face of the base having additional recesses, conducting rail elements about the ribs, certain of the rail elements disposed in wheel bearing position having prongs which pass through the base and the domes in the bottom plate and are bent over onto the same so as to be housed in the domes and ground all such rails to the bottom plate, other rail elements disposed in power rail position and wheel bearing position, having prongs which pass through the insulating base and are bent against it in correspondingly positioned recesses and additional prongs which pass through the base, a conducting strap carried on the lower face of the base and secured in place by the said additional prongs of the rail elements in power rail position, a frog secured to the base and to said strap, a second and a third conducting strap secured in place by the respective conducting rail elements in the wheel bearing rail position, a frog point, a switch tongue, and electromagnetically operated switch tongue actuating mechanism including two coils each permanently connected to the rst conducting strap and to one of the other two conducting straps.

7. A toy railroad track switch having an insulating base, a movable switch tongue, a bottom metal plate to which the base is secured, `fixed wheel bearing and power rails secured on top of the base in position to guide a toy train through a main line or branch line, the power rails being electrically connected underneaththe base, certain of the wheel bearing rails being secured to the metal plate to ground them, a portion of a main line Wheel bearing rail and a portion of a branch line wheel bearing rail being secured to the insulated base, two straps beneath the insulating base, one strap being secured to one of the insulated Wheel bearing rails and to one binding post, the other being secured to the other insulated wheel bearing rail and the other binding post, and a switch tongue operator comprising an upper metal plate, on top of the insulating base and conductively secured to the bottom metal plate so as to be grounded, two aligned solenoid coils carried above the upper plate, each electrically connected underneath the base with the power rails and with one of the straps, an armature in the coils, an armature operated rack slidablc on the upper metal plate, a pinion mounted on a vertical axis and driven by the rack through an angle of slightly more than 180 and having a crank arm and a link connecting the crank arm and the -switch tongue, the upper metal plate and base having openings through which the link extends so that part of the link is under the base.

8. A toy railroad track switch such as claimed in claim 7, having a cover over the upper metal plate, a gear of twice the pitch diameter as the pinion and meshing therewith, and a signal extending up through an opening in the cover and turned back and forth through approximately each time the tongue is shifted.

9. A toy railroad track switch according to claim 7 including a cover over said upper met-al plate, a gear of greater pitch diameter than said pinion in meshing engagement with said pinion, and signal means mounted l i above said cover and connected to said tongue and including indicating means actuated by said tongue each time said tongue is shifted. Y

10. In combination with a track switch section for a toy railroad including a curved length of track joined by a straight length of track each length having a central power rail and spaced parallel Wheel bearing rails and having interrupted portions at their junctures bridged by corresponding rail portions of a pivotal switching tongue, the improvement comprising a irst coil having one tenminal grounded and one terminal connected to said straight rail length of track, a second coil having one terminal grounded and 'one terminal connected to said curved rail length of track, a plunger reciprocable Within said coils and being attractable into proximity with a respective one thereof upon actuation thereof, means connecting one end of said plunger with said switching tongue for positioning said tongue in alignment with said straight length of track upon actuation of said rst coil and positioning said tongue in alignment with said curved length of track upon actuation of said second coil, a rst indicating lamp having one terminal electrically grounded, 'a second indicating lamp having one terminal electricallyr grounded, each of the opposite terminals of said first and second lamps being aligned in a plane, a pivotally mounted Contact arm having portions arranged for movement in a plane of said first and second lamp terminals and connecting said contact arm and the other end of said plunger and effective to move a contact portion thereof into contact with a terminal of said rst lamp upon actuation of said first coil and a Contact portion thereof into Contact With'said second lamp terminal upon actuation of said second coil, said lamp means including a member connected to said plu-nger and said contact arm, said member including Wall means defining a slot therein, said contact arm including an upstanding pin confined for movement Within the slot of said member, said slot including passageway means defined by said wall means for effecting a shifting of said pivot arm in one lateral direction upon energization of said rst coil and the shifting of said arm in the opposite direction upon the energization of said second coil.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 234,657 Conklin Nov. 23, 1880 1,097,160 Balzer May 19, 1914 1,286,707 Michener Dec. 3, 1918 1,784,778 Becker Dec. 9, 1930 1,879,227 Hehre Sept. 7, 1932 1,919,272 Caruso July 25, 1933 1,966,031 Handy July 10, 1934 2,060,059 Haffner Nov. 10, 1936 2,079,251 Haupt May 4, 1937 2,292,820 Brown Aug. 11, 1942 2,328,485 Ott Aug. 31, 1943 2,408,553 Gieskieng et al. Oct. 1, 1946 2,414,079 White Jan. '7, 1947 2,593,810 Sullivan Apr. 22, 1952 2,772,843 Rexford Dec. 4, 1956 

1. A TOY RAILROAD TRACK SWITCH SECTION FOR GUIDING A TOY ELECTRIC TRAIN HAVING TRUCKS WITH CONDUCTIVELY CONNECTED WHEELS AND A CURRENT COLLECTOR, FROM A COMMON TRACK TO AND FROM A MAIN LINE TRACK OR A BRANCH LINE TRACK AND SUPPLYING POWER TO THE TRAIN, SAID SECTION HAVING AN INSULATING BASE, A CONDUCTIVE SHIFTABLE SWITCH TONGUE ABOVE THE BASE, A METAL BOTTOM PLATE SECURED TO THE INSULATING BASE, THE INSULATING BASE HAVING A RELATIVELY LONG, STRAIGHT, MAIN LINE RIB EXTENDING PAST THE TONGUE, A RELATIVELY LONG CURVED BRANCH LINE RIB EXTENDING PAST THE TONGUE, RELATIVELY SHORT CONVERGING STRAIGHT AND CURVED, MAIN AND BRANCH LINE RIBS PARALLEL WITH THE FIRST RIBS, RELATIVELY SHORT CONDUCTIVE WHEEL BEARING RAIL ELEMENT MOUNTED ABOUT THE ENDS OF THE LONG RIBS AND ABOUT THE SHORT RIBS AND HAVING PRONGS WHICH PASS THROUGH THE BASE AND ARE SECURED TO THE METAL PLATE, RELATIVELY LONG CONDUCTIVE RAIL ELEMENTS MOUNTED ABOUT THE LONG RIBS AND SECURED TO THE INSULATING BASE TO FORM AN INSULATED LENGTH OF CONDUCTIVE WHEEL BEARING RAIL IN EACH LINE, A LENGTH OF THE LONG RIBS OPPOSITE THE SWITCH TONGUE BEING BARE, THE BASE HAVING CURVED AND STRAIGHT RIBS MIDWAY BETWEEN THE RIBS WHICH CARRY THE WHEEL BEARING ELEMENTS, CONDUCTING POWER RAILS MOUNTD ABOUT THE SAID MIDWAY RAILS, A CONDUCTING FROG SECURED TO THE INSULATING BASE, A V-SHAPED PLATE UNDER THE INSULATING BASE AND CONNECTED TO THE POWER RAILS AND THE FROG, A CONDUCTING FROG, POINT CARRIED ON TOP OF THE INSULATING BASE IN A POSTION TO PROVIDE WHEEL SUPPORTING SURFACES BEYOND THE NEAR ENDS OF THE SHORT CONVERGING WHEEL BEARING RAILS OF THE MAIN AND BRANCH LINES, MEANS SECURING THE CONDUCTING FROG IN PLACE AND CONDUCTIVELY CONNECTING IT TO THE THE BOTTOM PLATE, THE INSULATED BASE ALSO HAVING SHORT STRAIGHT AND CURVED RIBS ALIGNED WITH THE FROG POINT AND SWITCH TONGUE AND ADAPTED TO GUIDE THE WHEELS. 